From Zero to CTO: Jon Topper is in the spotlight

Jon Topper's journey from hands-on DevOps engineer to CTO/CEO shows how technical depth can inform leadership decisions. He built early automation for Trutap, contributed to container concepts before Docker, and leveraged that expertise to grow The Scale Factory, proving that deep engineering experience remains valuable at the helm.

The toughest shift he describes is the change in feedback loops. As an engineer, code changes produce immediate results; as a leader, actions may not surface for weeks, leading to frustration and self-doubt. Recognizing this lag helped him adopt new metrics for success and focus on long-term team health.

His biggest early mistake was assuming every team member works like him-quick to learn, comfortable switching roles, and self-directed. That assumption broke scaling attempts and cost him colleagues, underscoring the need for tailored delegation and realistic expectations when expanding a consultancy.

To attract and retain talent, Topper relies on visibility (speaking at conferences) and a flexible work policy that lets people choose when and where they work, boosting productivity and inclusivity. He pairs this with one-to-one manager relationships, open-door Slack access, and mental-health support, creating a culture that mitigates burnout.

Looking ahead, he envisions a self-sufficient business run by a dedicated management team, while keeping a personal hand in high-level consultancy and possibly launching a B2C product. His story offers practical lessons on empathy, patience, decisiveness, and the infrastructure needed to sustain growth.